Ironically, although the Azure Coalition’s research division had provided the initial basis for the inference that the Sharpies’ civilization was built on individual combat prowess and was not actually all that technologically advanced, they were also the ones who had the hardest time accepting it.

A debate had already been ongoing for some time in a relevant research office, with opinions varying widely.

“Personally, I don’t think it’s right to say that their technology is not that advanced. The truth is simply that their tech tree doesn’t follow the trajectory we’d assume based on our own development.” A young woman, looking to be around eighteen or nineteen, smiled brightly at the others, as if making casual conversation rather than arguing a point.

Having said her piece,...